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Rockies hitting stride in July

Jul 26, 2008 - 10:14 AM Colorado (46-58) at Cincinnati (50-54) 7:10 p.m. EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies have found their rhythm.

The Rockies go for their eighth win in nine games on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

The reigning National League champions, Colorado dropped its last eight games in June to fall 19 games below .500.

However, the Rockies, who claimed the NL Wild Card in 2007 by winning 14 of their last 15 in September - including a one-game playoff - have won seven of their last eight to improve to 14-7 in July and crawl within six games of the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.

Colorado's offense has given the team a boost, registering at least 10 hits in six straight games, including a 7-2 win in the series opener on Friday. The Rockies are averaging 7.5 runs while posting a .370 batting average during their last eight.

The Rockies try to continue the hit parade against Reds starter Homer Bailey (0-3, 6.29 ERA).

Bailey, Cincinnati's first-round pick in the 2004 draft, is winless since April 30 - a span of 15 starts between the minors and majors.

Jorge De La Rosa (4-5, 6.71) counters for the Rockies after allowing one run and seven hits in six innings, walking two while striking out seven en route to a 7-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday.